Economics

Anthony Foxx, Outgoing Transportation Secretary, Approves Waiver to Provide Race-Conscious Goals

Published

9 years ago

January 31, 2017

US Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx recently approved a waiver of U.S. Department of Transportation regulations to allow the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) to provide group-specific race-conscious Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) contract goals for firms owned and controlled by African Americans and women.

This ruling was in response to the lack of participation of African American and women-owned businesses on SFMTA projects, such as the $1.5 billion Central Subway Project currently under construction in San Francisco.

The participation for each of these two groups as cited in the SFMTA Disparity Study is less than ½ of 1 percent of the project construction cost. In a letter to SFMTA, the Federal Transit Authority Office of Civil Rights in Washington, DC indicated that this was unacceptable and that SFMTA must find a way to correct such disparities.

While gender and race conscious goals are not allowed on state funded contracts in California since the passage of Proposition 209 in 1996, no matter what the disparity might be for any group, projects with federal funding are not affected by this state law.

The passage of Prop.209 banned affirmative action resulting in the demise of an estimated 80 percent of Black contracting firms in California within three years.

Congresswoman Barbara Lee supported the efforts of SFMTA and the San Francisco African American Chamber of Commerce to improve conditions.

“I am pleased by the commitment from federal government and local partners to ensure that vendors reflect the diversity of our nation and the workforce at large,” she said. “As a former federal contractor myself, I understand the challenges that many women and African American business owners face. This decision is a critical step to address the disparities in federal contracting.”

Fred Jordan

SFMTA will hold a public hearing as required by the Department of Transportation (DOT) to implement the new goals on the upcoming $200 million Van Ness Bus Rapid Transit Project in San Francisco.

According to Fred Jordan, president of the San Francisco African American Chamber of Commerce, “We are most encouraged to bid now that the US DOT has taken the initiative within its own regulation to bring about parity for all.

“If SFMTA can do it, all of the other government agencies that receive federal funds can do it. Sadly, there is no known major agency in California receiving federal funds that has African American business participation over 1 percent.”

“This is a game changer for African American and women-owned businesses,” said Jordan.

For more information, contact Fred Jordan, E-mail: frederickjordan@aol.com

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Oakland Post: Week of July 1 – 7, 2026

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of July 1 – 7, 2026

Published

4 days ago

July 5, 2026

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NPRC Joins National Grand Jury Proceedings Seeking Accountability, Constitutional Restoration

Organizers state that testimony will explore historical and political developments that they believe have contributed to the expansion of corporate influence over public institutions and governmental decision-making. Participants are expected to discuss concerns regarding constitutional governance, individual liberties, property rights, and the protection of vulnerable populations, including seniors and persons with disabilities.

Published

2 weeks ago

June 26, 2026

Oakland Post

Photo by Billie Powers.

Special to The Post

The National Probate Reform Coalition (NPRC) has joined Toll and Roll and a growing coalition of advocacy organizations, victims, whistleblowers, and citizen groups in support of a nationally broadcast People’s Grand Jury proceeding scheduled for July 1 and July 7.

Organizers describe the event as a public forum designed to examine allegations of government abuse, judicial misconduct, legislative failures, and the erosion of constitutional protections affecting millions of Americans.

The proceedings will feature testimony from victims, families, advocates, and organizations from across the country who contend they have experienced harm through government actions, institutional neglect, and failures of oversight.

According to organizers, the People’s Grand Jury will focus on concerns involving probate courts, guardianships, conservatorships, child welfare systems, property rights, civil liberties, and what participants view as a growing disconnect between government institutions and the constitutional rights of the people they are sworn to serve.

NPRC is participating because many of the issues being examined mirror the concerns raised by advocates, victims, and families who have participated in its monthly town halls. For years, families have reported cases involving exploitation of elders, questionable guardianships, estate depletion, denial of due process, and a lack of meaningful oversight within probate court systems.

“This proceeding gives victims and advocates an opportunity to place their experiences on the public record,” said Tanya Dennis, lead facilitator of NPRC. “For too long, families have struggled to have their voices heard regarding elder abuse, probate exploitation, and government inaction. This forum allows those stories to be shared before a national audience.”

In keeping with principles of transparency and fairness, invitations have been extended to legislators, members of the judiciary, law enforcement representatives, and other public officials who may wish to respond to concerns raised during the proceedings or defend actions taken by their respective institutions.

One of the primary outcomes sought by organizers is public consideration and support for the People’s Remedy and Restoration Act, a proposed legislative framework that advocates believe would strengthen oversight, increase accountability, provide remedies for victims of governmental abuse, and restore constitutional protections.

The proceedings are expected to be broadcast nationally, providing citizens throughout the United States an opportunity to observe testimony, review evidence presented, and participate in an ongoing conversation regarding government accountability and the protection of individual rights.

Advocates hope the hearings will encourage meaningful dialogue, legislative reform, and renewed public engagement in the democratic process.

Individuals, organizations, public officials, and members of the media interested in attending or obtaining access information may contact the organizers at tollandroll2025@gmail.com.

As Americans continue to debate the future of constitutional governance, judicial accountability, and the protection of vulnerable citizens, the July proceedings are expected to serve as a significant forum for public testimony and civic engagement. For more information, go to https://tollandroll.com